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Dixie
Dixie
Emma and her puppy, Dixie, are inseparable after-school friends. But when Emma starts preparing for her class's production of The Wizard of Oz , Dixie feels left out. She wants to romp and play, but all Emma wants to do is memorize her lines in peace and quiet. Dixie does not understand. Dixie, the mischievous puppy who is trying to be good, will be embraced by beginning readers.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2011
68 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Grace Gilman
16 books6 followersGrace Gilman is a former children's book editor. She lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 30, 2011
This really should be an innocuous little book. A cute little book to read to your favourite baby just before they go to bed at night. A book to bring a smile to your face, not just your child's. It's not selling any toys, not a piece of propaganda fluff for Hollywood animation, not a work that goes out of its way to entrench gender stereotypes, not a work that espouses a particular world view. It is a nice little book, and it should pass the time, then be easily forgotten as you tickle your baby's brains out.
So why did I hate it so damn much?!
I am asking myself that question, and I feel like my answer is inadequate. I know a big part of my disdain comes from the fact that the cute little dog -- who really plays the role of a child with the little girl as Mother -- is an ungrateful little attention seeker, who nearly destroys her little girl's debut as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in a spiteful little attention grab. Dixie steals Emma's ruby slippers, and hides them under the bed. She's a vengeful little bitch (which I believe is the accurate term in this case), and I wanted Emma to take her to an obedience course in the next book (instead, I think she's rewarded with a trip to school pet day).
I think it aggravates me so much because the story takes place from the dog's POV. We're practically in the mind of the dog, and we are supposed to sympathize with Dixie's situation. Oh, poooooor, Dixie. Her little girl isn't spending enough time with her :( I can't, though. Dixie's a spoiled brat. She pisses me off. But is that enough to hate this book? Is it fair? I dunno. I just know that I do.
I don't like the writing, the art bores me, and for whatever reason(s), it pisses me off. I have deleted this from my e-reader. Scoutie and I won't be reading this again. Ever.
So why did I hate it so damn much?!
I am asking myself that question, and I feel like my answer is inadequate. I know a big part of my disdain comes from the fact that the cute little dog -- who really plays the role of a child with the little girl as Mother -- is an ungrateful little attention seeker, who nearly destroys her little girl's debut as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in a spiteful little attention grab. Dixie steals Emma's ruby slippers, and hides them under the bed. She's a vengeful little bitch (which I believe is the accurate term in this case), and I wanted Emma to take her to an obedience course in the next book (instead, I think she's rewarded with a trip to school pet day).
I think it aggravates me so much because the story takes place from the dog's POV. We're practically in the mind of the dog, and we are supposed to sympathize with Dixie's situation. Oh, poooooor, Dixie. Her little girl isn't spending enough time with her :( I can't, though. Dixie's a spoiled brat. She pisses me off. But is that enough to hate this book? Is it fair? I dunno. I just know that I do.
I don't like the writing, the art bores me, and for whatever reason(s), it pisses me off. I have deleted this from my e-reader. Scoutie and I won't be reading this again. Ever.
February 1, 2012
Basic Plot: Dixie's pet human wants to be Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" but Dixie wants to play!
Well, the story appeals to my inner thespian, as it has to do with a little girl who wants to be in a play. The art was okay, although I thought the watercolor illustrations were a little sloppy and unfinished-looking. I wanted to like the book as a cute pet story, but it mostly just reminded me of why I'm very NOT a dog person. My son likes it, but I can't get over the general irritation I felt towards canines through it. I would've given only 2 stars, but the little man keeps asking for it, so I'm bumping it up to 3.
Well, the story appeals to my inner thespian, as it has to do with a little girl who wants to be in a play. The art was okay, although I thought the watercolor illustrations were a little sloppy and unfinished-looking. I wanted to like the book as a cute pet story, but it mostly just reminded me of why I'm very NOT a dog person. My son likes it, but I can't get over the general irritation I felt towards canines through it. I would've given only 2 stars, but the little man keeps asking for it, so I'm bumping it up to 3.
June 25, 2017
Dixie and Emma are perfect companions for one another. They complement each other so well.
September 8, 2016
Adorable!
November 22, 2023
Emma may understand her puppy pretty well, but is that puppy capable of understanding her?
The plot is potent, at least in its implications. For very young readers this next idea won't be obvious, but, hello!
No puppy dog is the intellectual equal of a human child. That holds true despite the storybook convention, definitely found in this book, where Dixie the dog understands humanuman talk (English) fluently and also can think in the way that a human would.
For example:
"It was too much. Dixie had to do something."
Fact is, in life, we can outgrow friendships, even with other humans. Evaluating relationships, sometimes solving problems and other times letting a weak friendship go ... this will become part of life for the rest of a thoughtful adult's life.
FIVE STARS for raising this question, even if the ending here is simple and glib -- not well earned at all, imo.
Besides, the conflict in this story can well keep young readers engaged all the way through to the very last page. So that's a reader's victory.
The plot is potent, at least in its implications. For very young readers this next idea won't be obvious, but, hello!
No puppy dog is the intellectual equal of a human child. That holds true despite the storybook convention, definitely found in this book, where Dixie the dog understands humanuman talk (English) fluently and also can think in the way that a human would.
For example:
"It was too much. Dixie had to do something."
Fact is, in life, we can outgrow friendships, even with other humans. Evaluating relationships, sometimes solving problems and other times letting a weak friendship go ... this will become part of life for the rest of a thoughtful adult's life.
FIVE STARS for raising this question, even if the ending here is simple and glib -- not well earned at all, imo.
Besides, the conflict in this story can well keep young readers engaged all the way through to the very last page. So that's a reader's victory.
November 19, 2021
i think as a kid i read all these books, now as an adult i enjoy picking them up again, through KU. wish it was sized better though??! i loved it ...great illustrations. like i always say i am reading through KU ...but the illustrations are only in the middle of the book, kindle screen so it really makes them quite small. wish the took up the full screen. must read if you are reading a real hand held book.
May 11, 2017
Nice story for a beginning reader. Love the use of a classic like Wizard of Oz!
June 1, 2017
I hated it because Dixie didn't listen, and then I loved it because she listened. I remember in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy was in the bed. I wondered what happened to her.
June 4, 2017
Very cute. We'll be looking for more Dixie books for the kids to read to me.
June 10, 2018
Sometimes we take our pets for granted. We have to remember that they have feelings as well.
August 18, 2018
The dog is a good dog.
October 31, 2019
Cute book, perfect for beginner readers.
August 4, 2020
When Emma is super excited about being Dorothy in her school play, Dixie is jealous and steals her ruby slipper. But when Dixie sees how sad Emma is, she brings the slipper back right away.
December 19, 2016
Dixie, a floppy-eared puppy, waits for Emma to come home from school every day so they can play together. When Emma gets the part of Dorothy in the class play, she doesn't have as much time for Dixie, so the puppy misbehaves in order to get attention. She still proves her true friendship to Emma, however, by comforting her when she worries about forgetting her lines and sharing the spotlight as Dorothy's dog, Toto.
This is primarily a story of friendship between a girl and her dog. Though Emma is frustrated with herself for not feeling confident in her lines, and sometimes takes it out on Dixie, she still loves her puppy. And though Dixie doesn't fully understand why it's not okay to make messes and steal Emma's ruby red slippers, she forgives Emma when she begins to understand what she's going through, and even takes steps to help her feel better.
This book will definitely appeal to new readers who have or wish to have dogs of their own. Girls or boys can easily relate to Dixie's hi-jinks, but I think girls, in particular, will be drawn to the pinkness of Emma's bedroom and those sparkly red shoes.
The text itself includes great action words, like grabbing, tipping, leaping, chewing, and chomping that give the story lots of life. The illustrations, too, contribute to the reader's experience of Dixie's puppy behavior. The plot wasn't as exciting as it might have been. There is a bit of drama when Dixie steals one of the ruby slippers, but it's resolved very quickly and easily, as are most of the story's problems. It's definitely a gentle story that will work well for kids who like calm, quiet, feel-good tales. For kids seeking more adventure and excitement, it might disappoint.
This is primarily a story of friendship between a girl and her dog. Though Emma is frustrated with herself for not feeling confident in her lines, and sometimes takes it out on Dixie, she still loves her puppy. And though Dixie doesn't fully understand why it's not okay to make messes and steal Emma's ruby red slippers, she forgives Emma when she begins to understand what she's going through, and even takes steps to help her feel better.
This book will definitely appeal to new readers who have or wish to have dogs of their own. Girls or boys can easily relate to Dixie's hi-jinks, but I think girls, in particular, will be drawn to the pinkness of Emma's bedroom and those sparkly red shoes.
The text itself includes great action words, like grabbing, tipping, leaping, chewing, and chomping that give the story lots of life. The illustrations, too, contribute to the reader's experience of Dixie's puppy behavior. The plot wasn't as exciting as it might have been. There is a bit of drama when Dixie steals one of the ruby slippers, but it's resolved very quickly and easily, as are most of the story's problems. It's definitely a gentle story that will work well for kids who like calm, quiet, feel-good tales. For kids seeking more adventure and excitement, it might disappoint.
June 29, 2015
Synopsis: "Emma and her puppy, Dixie, are inseparable after-school friends.
But when Emma starts preparing for her class's production of The Wizard of Oz, Dixie feels left out. She wants to romp and play, but all Emma wants to do is memorize her lines in peace and quiet. Dixie does not understand.
Dixie, the mischievous puppy who is trying to be good, will be embraced by beginning readers."
My Review: This is a good level one book for beginning readers. The sentences are a little more complex but still contain a lot of familiar words. The story is interesting and may be relatable to some children. The images don't always prompt the more difficult words one the page but are still fun and lend to the entertainment of the book.
But when Emma starts preparing for her class's production of The Wizard of Oz, Dixie feels left out. She wants to romp and play, but all Emma wants to do is memorize her lines in peace and quiet. Dixie does not understand.
Dixie, the mischievous puppy who is trying to be good, will be embraced by beginning readers."
My Review: This is a good level one book for beginning readers. The sentences are a little more complex but still contain a lot of familiar words. The story is interesting and may be relatable to some children. The images don't always prompt the more difficult words one the page but are still fun and lend to the entertainment of the book.
October 29, 2012
I am such a sucker for dog books and this one is great! An early reader book, this tale starts out with Dixie getting a new owner, Emma. She loves having a dog and tells Dixie that she should just follow her everywhere she goes. This sounds like a great plan, but Emma has just gotten the lead role in the play The Wizard of Oz and all of the time she is supposed to spend with Dixie is being used on preparations. Dixie gets an idea to hid one of the ruby slippers to try and get Emma to finally notice her but Emma starts to panic because without the slipper she has no show! Everything in Emma's life seems to go sad until she finally realizes who her real friend is!
November 13, 2014
Cute, but not a favorite. I hope more I Can Read books will be free or cheap on the NOOKbook list. Same price as a physical copy makes it hard for me to purchase since I have no qualms about leaving my toddler alone with a book, but wouldn't leave her with the nook.
Dixie was our first experience with a Nook Kids Read to Me book and I think it's fun. My toddler daughter loves to listen to it again and again.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Dixie was our first experience with a Nook Kids Read to Me book and I think it's fun. My toddler daughter loves to listen to it again and again.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
July 12, 2011
Dixie, a puppy who loves her owner Emma so much, is disappointed when Emma has
no time to play with her anymore because the school is putting on the play The Wizard of Oz anc
Emma wants to be Dorothy in the play.
no time to play with her anymore because the school is putting on the play The Wizard of Oz anc
Emma wants to be Dorothy in the play.
August 16, 2011
My 3yr really loves this book on the "read to me" version on the Nook Color. He loves following along with the story and able to turn the pages with a swipe. It is a nice children book and I'm happy that my boys are enjoying reading.
July 19, 2014
This is a "Level 1" reader meaning it has simple sentences for eager new readers.
Excerpt from the book:
"Dixie is Emma's puppy.
Every day, Dixie waits for Emma to come home from school.
Dixie and Emma eat snacks.
They play games.
Everywhere Emma goes, Dixie goes, too."
Excerpt from the book:
"Dixie is Emma's puppy.
Every day, Dixie waits for Emma to come home from school.
Dixie and Emma eat snacks.
They play games.
Everywhere Emma goes, Dixie goes, too."
August 1, 2013
Emma and her dog, Dixie, are inseparable. But when Emma tries out for the school play, in hopes of becoming the lead character, Dorothy, Emma has no time for Dixie. What can an energetic dog do when she has to wait and wait? Cute story.
June 25, 2011
free Nook Kids book - My 5 yr old really liked the read to me option
August 7, 2011
Dixie is jealous when Emma begins preparation for the class play. Children who enjoy dog stories will like this beginning reader about how Dixie tries to deal with what she doesn't fully understand.
September 10, 2011
A girl wants to be in a play, and her dog Dixie gets in her way.
October 24, 2013
Cute book for beginner readers.
June 17, 2012
There's nothing truly terrible about this, it's just that most "I can read!" level ones are unenjoyable to adults!
My five year old didn't offer any compliments or complaints.
Once was enough for me.
My five year old didn't offer any compliments or complaints.
Once was enough for me.
December 30, 2012
Short and to the point.
January 21, 2015
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
January 14, 2016
super cute story about what a little girl does when her dog tries to make it difficult for her to practice her part in a play!
February 24, 2016
Must-have for children (me)
Well written my daughter enjoyed it. (My mom)
Illustrations were very enjoyable
My daughter is enjoying her new dog who she calls Dixie
Well written my daughter enjoyed it. (My mom)
Illustrations were very enjoyable
My daughter is enjoying her new dog who she calls Dixie
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews